Exclusive

Why Alexander Skarsgård's Dad Turned Down True Blood

Television vampire's real-life father tells us reason behind decision not to appear on his son's hit HBO series

By Marc Malkin Sep 01, 2011 1:44 PMTags
E! Placeholder Image

How cool would it be to see Alexander Skarsgård act opposite his dad, well known Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, on True Blood?

Pretty cool.

Sadly, it ain't happening...

READ: Who wants to see True Blood's Joe Manganiello go full frontal in new movie?

Stellan, who you may recognize from Good Will Hunting, Pirates of the Caribbean, Angels & Demons, many Lars von Trier films and even Entourage, tells me he's been asked to be on the show, but, well, he's too busy.

"I don't have the time," he told me while promoting the upcoming DVD release of his latest flick, Thor.

Good to know it's not because he doesn't appreciate his son's work. "I think it's very well done and he's great in it," Stellan said.

In fact, he wants you to know that he takes no credit for Alex's massive success. "I don't give him any advice at all, because for my kids, from the age of 16 their lives are their responsibility," he said. "If he had the feeling that it was thanks to me that he had any of his success, it would just be half a success. He owes everything to himself."

Well said, Mr. Skarsgård.

Oh, as for how busy he is, Papa Skarsgård recently wrapped The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (more on that later!) and is currently finishing up The Avengers in the U.S. at the same time he's been travellng to Brazil to shoot a foreign film.

Up next is another project with von Trier.

"Lars called me and said, 'Stellan, my next film will be a porno film, and I want you to play the lead in it,'" he said, laughing. "But then he said, 'You will not get to f--k.'"

Sounds like he may want to reconsider True Blood after all.